Looks like dad’s drainage tube is clogged again. If he can make it through today, we will go to Md Anderson in the morning to get it unclogged. If he can’t make it until the morning, we will be heading to the ER again. He is really breathing hard.
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Update: 07/01/2014
We are heading to the doctor soon. Dad can be stubborn at times! He did not want to go to the ER cause he knew they would admit him. So he said he was going to try to make it until this morning. So we are going today.
Today’s sermon: About Healing. Loved the stories the pastor talked about today.
- God offering healing through miracles- the small ones and big ones. I smiled at this comment as I always say that one thing my cancer has shown me is to enjoy the sunrises and enjoy the moments that bring a smile to your face.
- God offers healing through modern medicine. This one hit me hard – with dad starting on new meds soon.
- God offers healing through endurance. Yes, we have to remember that it takes time to find the right path.
- God offers healing through salvation. People ask me how I know there is a God. I tell them because I have seen God’s work through people. I have seen the beauty on this earth. I have seen how God has taken horrible things like cancer and helped others be giving encouragement.
Today – that sermon hit home to my heart.
Today, we got to go to church for the first time in a while. Dad has been so sick and we have always worshiped together as a family. So since dad had not been able to go, we have spent that time together at home worshiping God. Our pastor invited us to come today as today’s focus was on God’s healing and miracles. At the end of the service, those who wanted to came up to the front and members of the church prayed for healing and anointing oil was placed on my dad’s head.
As tears flowed from my eyes, people’s hands on our shoulders, as friends prayed for a healing of my dad’s body, I was touched with such love and friendship. From day one, my family has given God this problem. From day one, we have declared God is Charge. Today, I felt God’s love all around me. I want to thank Pastor Jeff who I admire, our wonderful friend and youth director Scot and all the people who held our hands this morning. It was one of the most humble and peaceful experiences I have had.
We saw the clinic trial dr for dad. They are going to do a molecular test to see the actual genetic mutation to see what trial will be best. 2-3 weeks for results and start of treatment. Also MDA (MD Anderson) has to get approval from insurance company for trial. If all is approved, all trials will involve a lot of medical test – blood work, tissue testing, cscans, PET scans etc. Five days a week for treatment at MDA (8 hrs each day) for first 2-3 weeks and then 3 times a week for 6 weeks (3 hrs each time).
Then he will have a chemo through a pump for 96 hrs each week.They also told us up front that we have to know going into this knowing this may or may not work. They could not promise anything but will be looking at dad’s case and do the best trial that is available. Putting it in God’s hands.
On a side note, we wore our support shirts and all day, people told dad they knew he had lots of support and love. Also, dad’s favorite song came on just as we pulled out of the drive way today. I told him – it was God saying we are on the right track!
Today was a long emotional day. At moments today, I just wanted to reach into dad’s body and yank that stupid cancer out and destroy it and tell it that it has been kicked off the island. It is really hard to describe the feelings that a person goes through when you see someone you admire and love have to go through this fight. We have a very very long road ahead of us and it is going to be rough. My faith is the thing that gives me strength in all of this. It is what keeps the strength that I need to be able to be there for my dad and the whole family. It is what drives me to know we have to lift our doubts and fears to God and know He is in charge
“Doubt is a virus that attacks our self-esteem, productivity and confidence. Faith that you and your life are perfectly unfolding is the strongest vaccine.”
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Sean Stephenson
I just got off the phone with Mom… it wasn’t good news. All the results came in… portions of the cancer is getting smaller. Though, other portions of the cancer is getting bigger. Therefore, Dad is no longer a candidate for regular chemo.
- Surgery is off the table because it’s too wide spread
- Radiation is off the table because he has maxed out his limit.
- Regular chemo is off the table because it’s not 100% doing the job
What does that leave us… clinical trial chemo. To say the least, we aren’t happy about being put on the clinical trial but it’s our only option left. Dad will have to go MD Anderson – Downtown to receive the clinical trial chemo. At the current time, it’s unknown when he will start the trial or what kind as we have to meet with the clinical trial doctor and see what our best option is.
I will definitely give you more updates as soon as I know something.
So, I just realized several major things have happened to dad that no one has posted here on the blog.
- Dad visiting MD Anderson hospitable:
- Dad went to MD Anderson ER due to having hard time breathing on May 27, 2014.
- After doing a variety of test, MD Anderson admitted him into the hospital due to fluids on the lungs, mainly his left lung.
- I must say, Dad’s room was like a VIP room… it was huge and very fancy and he was all by himself.
- On May 28th, MD Anderson drained his left lung and also put a drainage tube in his left lung so he can be drained from home.
- On May 29th, Dad was discharge Thursday afternoon from the hospital.
- On a side note, he was suppose to get more chemo on May 29th, but due to him being in the hospital, they actually post pone the treatment to the following week.
- Dad went to MD Anderson ER due to having hard time breathing on May 27, 2014.
- On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday, we drain fluild from his left lung at home.
- We will continue to do this producer until he stops dripping less than 150 ML per drain for a solid week. Once he does that, then we can call the doctor and see if the tube can come out.
- Dad’s new nickname is “Drano“.
- From June 1st – 4th, Dad accomplish something that he hasn’t done in awhile.
- For the first time in months and months, dad went to work every day and did not have to come home early! He was worn out but he did it!
- Remember, he works a 4/10 shift Sunday – Wednesday nights.
- On June 5th, Dad received his drip chemo from MD Anderson – Clear Lake . In addition, he took 5 chemo pill per day for a 7 days straight.
- On a side note, Dad is schedule to get another dose of chemo on June 19th and repeat the same process.
Jennifer posted this on her Facebook wall and I thought I would share this with everyone since the other day was Father’s Day.
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To all the father’s out there… may you remember how much the gift of time is means more than any toy that you can give a child. My best memories is not the toys but the time spent with my parents. A Husband is About to Go on 1 of the Most Important Dates of His Life, But it’s Not With His Wife.
It is hard to believe my daddy started a fight against cancer 1 year and 8 months ago. I see him fighting every day to beat it and though some days, he feels like crap, he has shown me the strength of what it means to be a fighter and a Cunningham. I wish we could treat his cancer like mine (if u look at me, u would not know I am a cancer survivor too). However, daddy’s fight reminds me how determination/strength runs through my blood and I am proud of my dad’s continue fight. Happy Father’s Day daddy!